Overview
A reapplication is a new case. Officers can see that you were refused before. Your job is to make the new package answer the old problems with clearer evidence—not to hope for a luckier draw.
Start with Work Permit Refusal if you have not yet decoded the letter.
Common situations
LMIA or Employer Portal problems
Obtain a current positive LMIA or a valid offer of employment number that matches the job you will actually do. Align wages, title, and location across every document.
Open-category refusal
Rebuild relationship, graduation, or other category proof. Do not refile an open application if you actually needed a closed pathway—or the reverse.
Incomplete or inconsistent forms
Harmonize names, dates, travel history, and employer details. Add a concise explanation of what changed since the refusal.
Status running out in Canada
Separate the immigration strategy from the status clock. Extension, restoration, or leaving Canada may be issues alongside the reapplication.
Rebuild process
- Decode the refusal letter reason by reason.
- Gap analysis: list what evidence was missing, weak, or inconsistent.
- Confirm the stream (open vs closed; LMIA vs LMIA-exempt; inside vs outside Canada).
- Refresh employer or category documents so they are current and consistent.
- Rewrite explanations to address each prior concern with evidence.
- Disclose the prior refusal on forms and briefly explain what changed.
- Submit only when the package is materially stronger.
What “materially stronger” looks like
| Weak original | Stronger reapplication |
|---|---|
| Vague job offer | LMIA/portal package matching forms exactly |
| Wrong exemption claimed | Correct IMP category with supporting proof |
| Thin spouse/open evidence | Full relationship and principal-status proof |
| Inconsistent wages/NOC | Harmonized contract, LMIA/offer, and forms |
| No explanation of prior refusal | Clear disclosure + what changed |
Fees and timing
You pay a new work permit processing fee (IRCC currently lists $CAN 155—confirm live). Most open permits also require the $CAN 100 open work permit holder fee. Employer LMIA or compliance fees may also need renewing. Biometrics may already be on file depending on timing.
There is usually no required “cooling off” period, but rushing without fixes rarely helps.
Common mistakes
- Refiling within days with identical PDFs
- Hiding or minimizing prior refusals
- Keeping a wrong stream (open vs closed)
- Updating only a letter while employer documents remain weak
- Starting work without authorization while waiting
When to get help
Get help if reasons cite credibility or misrepresentation, you need to change streams, or inland status deadlines are tight.
Tamara can review what changed since the refusal and whether the new package actually answers IRCC’s concerns.
Related guides
This guide summarizes official IRCC sources listed above. Requirements change. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.
Before you apply
- Mapped each refusal reason to a concrete fix
- Confirmed open vs closed and LMIA vs LMIA-exempt pathway
- Refreshed employer documents or open-category proof
- Rewrote explanations to address prior gaps
- Disclosed prior refusal accurately on forms
- Avoided uploading unchanged weak documents
Frequently asked questions
- How soon can I reapply?
- IRCC generally does not require a waiting period for most work permit reapplications, but reapplying before you fix the file usually wastes fees.
- Should I hide the previous refusal?
- No. Immigration forms ask about prior refusals. Non-disclosure can create credibility problems worse than the original refusal.
- Do I need a new LMIA or portal offer?
- Often yes if the previous LMIA expired, the job changed, or the Employer Portal offer is no longer valid for the new filing. Confirm with the employer and IRCC/ESDC rules.
- Can the same officer refuse me again?
- A new application gets a new assessment, but repeating the same weaknesses often leads to another refusal.
- Is changing employers always the answer?
- Only if the employer package itself was part of the problem. Switching employers without fixing eligibility or document gaps rarely helps.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This guide summarizes official IRCC guidance. Outcomes depend on your full facts and officer assessment.
See also
References
- Get a work permit
- Work permit documents (inside Canada)
- Open work permits
- Citizenship and immigration fees
- How do I apply for an open work permit? (Help Centre 1361)
Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on your facts and IRCC’s assessment. Confirm current rules on Canada.ca before you apply.